George Bush senior spends Christmas in hospital

Former US President George H.W. Bush waves as he leaves the East Room following the official portrait unveiling of his son former US President George W. Bush and his wife Laura Bush in this May 31, 2012 file photo at the White House in Washington, DC. The 88-year-old former president, who has been hospitalized for a month undergoing treatment for bronchitis, may not be released from a Houston hospital in time to celebrate Christmas at home as doctors had hoped, according to a spokesman at Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas on Dec 23, 2012. -- PHOTO : AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Former United States president George H.W. Bush celebrated Christmas in a Texas hospital with his family Tuesday after a series of health setbacks that have delayed his release, his spokesman said.

The 88-year-old was first admitted to Methodist Hospital in Houston on Nov 7 for bronchitis treatment and released on Nov 19. But he was readmitted on Nov 23 after his cough flared up again.

"President Bush has had a series of setbacks which, combined with his age, have complicated the timeline for his release," spokesman Jim McGrath told AFP.

"His doctors are cautiously optimistic they have his current issues under control, and the president is spending Christmas with Mrs Bush along with his son Neil and grandson Pierce."